We've just received official word from the Googlers on high that the 2012 Nexus 7, albeit burdened with crappy, crappy NAND storage and an aging Tegra 3 processor, will receive Android 5.0 Lollipop as an OTA update. Rejoice.

Just how the 2-plus year-old tablet will fare on 5.0, we don't know, but the fact that it's getting it at all is reassuring. Google may be getting more committed to giving Nexus devices longer update lives, something we can all be happy about.

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones to have a touch screen that isn't totally fucked. Every so often it fails to register touches especially when typing, playing a two handed game, (like a platformer) or multi touch in general. Was afraid to get a replacement since almost everyone received a worse unit as a replacement.

skitchbeatz

Needs F2FS

DavidW

While F2FS is fast, it is fast at the expense of data security. In my opinion it isn't worth it.

Ricardo

What do you mean by data security? Neither ext4, nor f2fs protect you from bitrot if that was what you had in mind.

DavidW

Yep, that's what I was thinking. It looks like the Linux kernel 3.17 will have it. That's pretty exciting.

I'm sure Duarte will approve of F2FS being used as soon as Android updates to the latest kernel.

Yes, I did a factory reset after the 4.4.4 and it was quite zippy -- and I chose not to install any launcher and icon sets, etc. Just a plain-jane setup, but weeks later it's dog slow once again.

Nick Yarosz

Why does this happen?

bL4Ck

Dunno, i formatted mine when 4.4 hitted and performance have always been terrible, UI is quite fluid and nice, but stuff takes ages to load and having apps downloading in the background or even massive data updates, like when you don't use it for some hours with wifi off, make it extra sluggish and touches take more than a second to register.

h4rr4r

Touches take a second to register? Something is very wrong there.
How full is your storage?

bL4Ck

6gigs used of 16

C64

Having te same problem

Pyngwie

My god, this is great.

MarkG54321

I suppose the BIG question is, will it be feature identical across all devices, or like the smoke an mirrors that Apple play, where older devices, it's missing so much new stuff, it would be really easy to come to the conclusion, that because it's closed source, all they have done is changed the version number to match the newer devices and added some new skinning resources, How easy it is to fool idiots when you hide behind closed source doors.

Google has generally been pretty good on the feature porting front. There's never any guarantee the features will work *well* though, or that they'll work at all they're hardware-dependent.

Justtyn Hutcheson

Several of the features introduced in the chagelog note that they are hardware dependent, notably the always-on hotword detection and tap-to-wake. Not sure if the N7 2012 hardware could handle the low-power detection duties or not like the SD 8xx can. Even the APQ8064 in the N7 2013 is kinda iffy there.

Simon Belmont

Yeah. The N7 2012 and 2013 can't handle hardware assisted hot word.

The Nexus 5, however, can. I'm sure we'll see that when it gets Lollipop.

Max, el Slowpoke

I hope to see unofficial Galaxy Nexus builds of Android L in the future ;)

hoosiercub88

I'm sure you will. There'll be L Builds for everyone.

Justin W

I demand on L build for my OG Droid.

Simon Belmont

Yes. I demand L for my T-Mobile G1.

I want lollipops to fill that 192MB of RAM and 3.2 inch screen. It will be glorious.

that's a really serendipitous name. I wonder if they went to the interview and were all like "well, you know...Google is my...middle name." and gave a cheesy grin.
I bet everyone laughed.
And then they had cupcakes.

Well, at least i can still swipe notifications on my 128px screen when I'm using my 9in tablet.

TriAxeS

No, that will happen with Apple watch release!

EowynCarter

I had long accepted the N7 2012 woudn't get android L. Oh well :)

Sam Del Valle

Prayer is needed

Fatal1ty_93_RUS

UNBELIEVABLE, this is a historical day for Android in general

Pootis Man

I literally did not expect Google to update the aging 2012 Nexus 7. Truly a historical day indeed!

TylerChappell

I expected it. I feared it might not happen, but I still expected it! I think I said somewhere on one of these sites it would likely be the device's last major version upgrade. Now where's my lollipop for my super prediction? The nice thing is, it helps keep the value of the OG N7 up a bit.

abobobilly

Indeed. I just hope it doesn't stop right there. Google really needs to stretch its updates list for all of its Nexus devices.

teolinux

A small step for a NAND, a huge leap for Pichai

MrNinjaPanda

While you're talking to Google, can you ask them what's up with Nexus 6 price

ChrisM40

Whats up is that Motorola want a profit, something LG never made on the N4 or 5. In reality it seems the Moto N6 was a project silver device that turned into the N6 when it was abandoned. LG pulled out of the Nexus program and the other OEMS werent interested in Silver.

MrNinjaPanda

That makes me think, why would Motorola make a Nexus device. Wouldn't it be better for them to just release it on their own? That way they could offer Moto Maker/Voice/Assist, and all those things that make Motorola devices distinctive.

This is great news! I was worried that my aging Nexus 7 wouldn't be updated. Now, while they're at it, if they can only update my Galaxy Nexus, Motorola XOOM, G1, MyTouch 3G and HTC G2, all would be great in the world!

I still use my Motorola Xoom. I have it docked to my stereo in the living room. It's so slow, playing music is all it's pretty much good for now. My Galaxy Nexus is what I use to play around with ROM's. The Nexus 5 is my daily driver, and that one is rooted, but stock. All the rest of the phones are just paperweights on my desk. They still turn on, but their too slow to be useful for anything.

Chat

I am using stock rom (not even rooted) and my OG xoom is surprisingly fluid. Not sure why you are feeling its too slow

I might have to flash the stock ROM again. I switched to Cyanogenmod because I wanted to have KitKat 4.4 on it.

Guest

You should look into setting them up as cloud processing contributors like HTC's Power To Give? Or there are apps out there that you could setup your phone to help aggregate data? I put my dad's old One to use with Power To Give.

abobobilly

Indeed. I was ready to flash a Android 5.0 "custom rom" on my Nexus 7 2012. But this is such an orgasmic news.

Well, I was running Android L on my Nexus 7 (2012) before it was cool: I ported the emulator image to it and it ran really smoothly. Can't wait for the full release.

Andrew

Best. Day. Eva!

abobobilly

NOT TODAY man. When it'll actually come out.

Andrew

I don't think I'll be able to handle an epicness of that day

Mr-Glass

I do not notice the 2012 N7 being that bad - I use CM11 with ART - perhaps I just do not use it enough..

DonEmu

You use CM11 with ART. There's your answer.

adfdafasdf

The Nexus 7 2012 does not have TRIM enabled when using encryption, resulting in very slow performance. See this Android Issue: https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=60421 . With Lollipop enabling encryption by default, does your source know if the TRIM+encryption issue has been resolved? Or, will we have a lot of people complaining about Lollipop being slow as molasses on the Nexus 7 2012?

I'm guessing they may turn off the encryption if it can't be implemented in a way that doesn't destroy performance.

Thomas’

I thought that encryption is only enabled by default on *new* devices.

daffydkjones

Yeah, they won't encrypt your previously unencrypted device without permission when you upgrade

Simon Belmont

They'll almost certainly have to prompt you, yeah. Mostly because you'll need to setup an encryption password or PIN. ;)

I'm sure they'll make it part of the upgrade process the first time you boot it up. Should be good. :)

Simon Belmont

The funny thing is that if they just took out the line in the kernel source that checks for dm-crypt + trim 1.8 version, it would work. There's actually code in the source to TRIM with encryption on (it must have been back ported, but not checked for, for some reason....oops).

If Google is going to push encryption on all Android L devices, including the N7 2012, I imagine they'll get around to fixing this. Let's hope so.

SAW IT ON THE NEXUS 5, on the Nexus 9 pages!!!! Material Play Music!!! MY BODY IS READY!!

Mohnish Wadhwa

You sir are awesome.

Guest

That NAME is sick bro/sis.

Serge Cebrian

is that a html5 video ?? its awesome
why netflix has not updated to it.. it should be a way to DRM the stuff.. unless its not...

Guest

Yup it is in WebM format!
I'm not sure about all the DRM stuff on HTML5 video formats.
Ever since i saw the example music player in Material during I/O I've been wanting a player like it, the Motion UI and delightful details are my favorites of Material overall. Doing a 2x major (Comp Sci w/industrail designminor & Graphic Design), can't wait till the day i finally get to work at Google (get to work with the cool kids) since they can make huge impact on users with a flip of a switch it's probably a treat to work there.

Yeah, something like that. There are variations of the tegra 3 chip. The one used by google, google pushes for support, but for htc one x, lg 4xhd etc no chance of that happening.

Simon Belmont

Yep. I know that.

The one with cellular support was discontinued on support quite some time ago. I believe that's also the higher binned version of the Tegra 3 that clocks a bit higher.

Darwin Colón Maldonado

Any release date for Nexus 7 2gen?

skeeterfood

There's no way it could make mine any slower at least...

fsdgasdg

and that is why you buy nexus products.

someone755

Or get something with the same chipset as a Nexus -- I like the performance, but I need a "skin" of Android that isn't AOSP every once a while, that is why my phone will never be a Nexus.

Dan Wilczynski

> but I need a "skin" of Android that isn't AOSP every once a while

I don't understand this sentence.

someone755

I meant to say AOSP gets boring to me after months of continuous use and switching to an OEM "skin" solves that boredom.

Dan Wilczynski

I didn't mean to say that I literally don't understand it, rather that AOSP is far better than any skin out there IMHO. Besides the fact that you can modify the look and feel with icon packs, Xposed modules or straight up install a custom ROM, there are essentially no limits to what you can have as your UI. Nexus phones are the easiest to unlock, and have arguably the most prolific dev community. To top all that off they have comparatively good hardware, fast updates and [until now] a low price point. This is why I buy Nexus. Your reasoning (pay more for a clunkier UI because boredom) for NEVER buying a Nexus phone seems pretty poor from my perspective.

someone755

The minus side of getting another phone is price, less development and slower updates from the OEM, but it comes with positives as well -- Nexus phones have always have some handicap that made them a no-buy for me, like battery life or size (the 4 and 5 were just too big for what I need a phone for), or even camera. Another plus is that, because there isn't any development, I am forced to learn about how this stuff works and develop stuff myself.
And I know of the customizability of AOSP, but (1) I'm too lazy and (2) I like how AOSP feels untouched. All the customizations I've tried (when I wasn't lazy) either changed everything to "ew" or didn't change anything at all. An OEM "skin" though is completely rewritten Android, and even if it doesn't look good it brings back the awesomeness of AOSP when I switch back to custom ROMs.

Dan Wilczynski

Yea I don't buy it... You said you are too lazy but you are talking about porting kernels in your other reply and learning to develop in this one. And really... The camera isn't bad. Go check out /r/nexus5 for their picture threads. If you are desperately needing high quality photos then you're using a DSLR anyway, not a cell phone. The only point you've got there is the battery life, but personally for half the price of the competition it isn't even a question for me. I really haven't found a single OEM skin I like, they are ugly. Sense is probably the best of the bunch but I'd rather just run stock and get the changes I actually find useful with Xposed. Have you tried GravityBox? It essentially brings the settings of a custom ROM into whatever you have installed, which for me is perfect. I really don't understand your need to switch back and forth from a skin, but then again I can't make your opinions for you. Oh well.

someone755

Camera isn't bad, but not as good as others are (my personal favorite being Sony here). The best part about a cameraphone is that it's a phone -- and it's always with you. Even if I had a DSLR, I wouldn't be carrying it with me everywhere.
About the price, it's alright if you're not where I live. And where I live, the Z1 Compact and Nexus 5 cost the same amount of money on a contract (which is what I do because I get to renew my contract every 2 years). The small price difference just isn't enough for me to get the Nexus. Plus there's the things I don't like about them (I can't stress enough how important size is for me).

I don't really find skins ugly. Or, if I despise anything (eg everything about Samsung, or whatever the heck skin Xiaomi and Meizu ship with), I don't buy it. I look at everything I need and want from the device, and if it doesn't fit it definitely won't sit (in my pocket).

And yes, I'm lazy (unbelievably so). Doing kernel work is something I find fun, plus I get to learn things (and it's not much more than just looking at files and copying them). Tweaking Android is just tedious and I never end up with the result I want, so I just say "fuck it" and move on.

Yes, I'm fucked up but that's just the way I am.

A side note though that I adore tablets with AOSP (GOOGLE Y NO MORE NEXUS 7). Mainly because no other OEM can get the price right and the software on most sucks.

someone755

Also my "same chipset" theory means, at least in theory, that various kernel features will be easy to port. Also chipset support will last as long as the Nexus phone lives.
That's why I'll always hate my operator -- they didn't have any more Z1Cs and I was forced to go with a Z3C ;-;

TedPhillips

why are you sad about a z3c?

i have some preference for the z1c as well, and am still mulling a purchase.

someone755

I'm sad because (1) it comes with 4.4.4 out of the box (meaning no root exploit) and (2) the chipset cannot be found in any Nexus device (usually meaning shorter lifespan).

"Each year, on the night of October 15th, we put our gadgets underneath the Android tree, and Duarte flies across the world in his chariot made of confectionery and delivers updated Android goodies to the devices of all the good little girls and boys!"

Kas Kata

YES! the finger crossed worked!!

Simon Belmont

Great to hear, and also unprecedented. If it lands in November that's nearly 28 months (it was launched in July 2012) of support, and presumably it'll receive 5.0.x updates with fixes over the next year, so that'd technically be over three years of support. Also that's five official versions of Android that it's had. Jelly Bean 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, KitKat 4.4, and Lollipop 5.0, which breaks the record of four versions held by other Nexus devices.

I still use my 32GB Nexus 7 2012 a lot on a daily basis. It's never given me trouble and I'm glad it'll be kept supported for another year. Thanks, Google. Please keep this trend going.

almousawi

Of course it'll. It was one of the highest selling Android tablets ever, Google don't want about 7M users to stay on an old Android version.

Ban KKiller

When?

Edge

Wow.

Greyhame

Awesome article title. You crack me up, Ruddock.

Mauricio Andres Najera Osorio

Thanks lord!!!!! New life for my grouper!

Harris Mirza

It actually wasn't crappy nand, it was the same crappy storage controller that plagued my transformer prime, but if this can run Lollipop, then my prime can too. Time to dig it out of my loft, and get this porting game on!

SpiderDice

I actually did a Factory Reset on my Nexus 7 2012 and it's still slow as balls. Not a single app installed except all of the default Google Apps.

I don't see see Android L helping this device out in any way...

dude

You will be surprised. With ART it will run a little smoother.

CoreRooted

I could see it being better if they somehow implemented F2FS (or some equivalent) into the N7 version. Given that it is a Samsung technology (and we know Samsung contributed Knox and "other" things to 5.0), I don't see this being outside the realm of possibilities.

C64

Even f2fs doesn't make a difference for me. N7 still get slow and freezes a lot.

Today i went to total stock and hope to see a factory image of L soon

ChrisM40

Im more surprised that Nvidia can be bothered to support the Tegra 3 after 2 years, what they do at launch only just qualifies as support normally..

dude

Aside from their recent dick move of suing Samsung, they have been very good at keeping their device updated. And it's easy to unlock bootloader and root their device as well.

ChrisM40

I was being snarky because there is always something wrong with Nvidia hardware. It just never seems to work right.

Simon Belmont

Yeah. They actually quit supporting the higher binned Tegra 3 chips that supported cellular on phones like the HTC One X, for example.

The chip in the Nexus 7 2012 is probably still supported because Google has paid Nvidia to do so. A lot of people still have N7 2012 models, so I guess it makes sense.